SHEFFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District voted Thursday to enter into negotiations with Beth Regulbuto to become its next superintendent.

Regulbuto is currently the associate superintendent of schools at the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District, where she has worked in different capacities since 2007. She has an undergraduate degree in accounting and a master's of education degree in organizational management.

Prior to her administrative work at Hampden-Wilbraham, she was an early childhood and performing arts teacher for several decades. It is expected that a contract will be brought to the School Committee for ratification within a few weeks. Regulbuto will start her new role on July 1, upon the retirement of David Hastings on June 30. Hastings has held the position of superintendent since July 2013.

"It will be an honor to work closely with the School Committee, teachers and administrators, students, parents and community members to help lead the Southern Berkshire Regional School District into its next phase," said Regulbuto. "I'm drawn to the unmitigated enthusiasm of the people I've met since I first came to interview in January and am so impressed with the quality of the team of leaders here. I look forward to getting to work this summer on the full range of issues ahead of us building on the great strengths of the District."

Hastings was confident he was leaving the school district "in wonderful hands."

Southern Berkshire has an enrollment of close to 700 in preK through Grade 12 from the towns of Alford, Egremont, New Marlborough, Monterey and Sheffield. It currently has three school operating schools, include Mount Everett Regional School, and a $16 million operating budget.

Carl Stewart, chairman of the School Committee, said the committee was thrilled at bringing Regulbuto on board.

"My colleagues on the School Committee and I are happy to have chosen someone who we believe is extremely well-prepared to face some of the complicated issues in our district," he said. "We look forward to welcoming Beth to the area in July and getting right to work "

The search for a new superintendent began seven months ago with the help of a consultant who held community listening groups, said E. Bonnie Silvers, chair of the Executive Evaluation and Superintendent Search subcommittee.

"The 13-member Superintendent Screening Committee then stepped in and using criteria shaped by the listening groups, reviewed 21 applications, interviewed nine candidates from around the region and then narrowed the field to two excellent finalists," she said. "We are grateful to all who participated to bring us Beth Regulbuto ... an excellent choice."

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